The Minns Labor Government has delivered a blow to Central Coast small businesses in its recent Budget by axing funding for the highly successful Business Connect program, which is due to end on 30 September 2025.
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the move was a devasting blow to Central Coast small business owners, many of which are run by mums and dads, family operators and young entrepreneurs giving it a go.
“Cutting support to vital programs like Business Connect doesn’t just hurt balance sheets; it hurts local jobs, confidence, and the next generation of business owners – the Minns Labor Government should be making it easier to succeed, not harder,” Mr Crouch said.
Business Connect has supported thousands of small businesses across NSW, including the Central Coast, by providing up to 8 hours of free, one-on-one tailored advice in areas such as strategic guidance, digital marketing, financial planning and business resilience.
“The Minns Labor Government has turned its back on small businesses at a time when they are grappling with soaring costs, weak consumer confidence and economic uncertainty. NSW leads the nation in business insolvencies,”
“I am calling on the local Labor Members to stand up for local businesses and join my calls to urgently reverse this decision and commit to continuing to fund local Business Connect services.” said Mr Crouch.